#Rishikesh through 18-300mm – Testing #Sigma

A good lens is a travel photographer’s best companion. Though I’m not a fan of all-in-one zoom lenses, Sigma 18-300mm DC MACRO OS HSM does make me have a second look at the lens.

When I got an opportunity to review Sigma 18-300mm DC MACRO OS HSM, I did what I do best, travel. Over a weekend, I visited the most boring hills (Rishikesh), and what follows below is my experience with the lens en-route.

Pros:
– Lens locking mechanism comes in handy while travelling
– Metallic body – Well built for a zoom this large, and good for adventurous/rough travellers
– Sharp results – Played with the lens for different types of photography, including events and product, and it worked well in most of the cases
– Fast focus – Sports enthusiasts take note
– Nice range and option – Especially for those looking for an all-in-one lens with their entry/mid level DSLRs (and for those who prefer clicking in auto-mode)

Cons:
– Weight – If you’re a hiker/trekker like me, chances are you’ll get tired of carrying the lens after a point of time, and/or your wrist will start paining due to weight

All in all, it’s a must-carry lens in case you love travelling and are up for basic/intermediate travel photography.

Below is a gallery of photos clicked with Sigma 18-300mm DC MACRO OS HSM . All photos shown are unedited.

Ergonomics & Build : Front element protected by a small lens hood | 72mm filter thread – Also works well with close up filters | Lens has a switch for MF/AF focusing modes and OS (optical stabilization) | Lens extends out quite a bit from its original collapsed mode | Macro focusing markings are present on the lens for ultra close up focusing | Pretty well built (Metallic body) and sturdy | It was tough to take the lens cap off, especially with gloves on | The zoom locking function that keeps the lens compact and ready for travel

Though the lens looks very basic at the first glance, once you start clicking with it is when you realize its true potential. The lens showcases sharpness right up there with many of the higher end options from lens manufacturers.

The zoom quality of the lens at various focal lengths was impressive, and the only drawback was the stability of the handheld camera. The lens helped capture almost perfectly sharp photographs even at 300mm.

There’s enough and more to play with this lens. If on Auto mode, make sure the lens is on AF and forget about everything else. Just make sure that you’ve unlocked it and OS is turned on.